Are you a Dedicated Quilter?
 

http://www.quilts.com/announcements/...QIA_survey.pdf
I guess we are doing our part to support the economy

I'm pretty close in some aspects. Not so much others.

I agree with just about all of the demographics except one - age. I am only 53 but I have been 'retired' for over 15 years, so I guess it works out that way. Neat information though.

Kind of interesting isn't it? But shocking to see the dollars involved on an individual basis!

I fit the profile almost exactly, except the average age is more than a decade older than me. I would have called myself obsessive instead of dedicated, but that's just me. :)

lol,way too dedicated but my income is no where near their average.I can not image having the income that they call average-oh my the stash would grow big time then.

If there are so many quilter's in America, why is it that so many quilt shops are closing?

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading the article and was amazed at the results. I am a dedicated quilter but am only 48 and do not earn anywhere close to what they present.

I pretty much fit the bill but not in all aspects. I think online shopping is putting a lot of LQS out of business. imho

Sort of?

I took up quilting for two reasons. With my fibromyalgia/arthritis, there wasn't too much else I could do without setting off pain, plus I wanted to keep my brain active with something that was truly hard for me mentally - geometry. Happily, my geometric abilities are somewhat improved, so perhaps my brain really is getting a work out from quilting!

Both of those reasons were good enough to try quilting, but the creativity quilting unleashed is addictive!

I have spent $$ on quilting tools, but I don't think I'm too close to the average. I have a lot of fabric - way too much - and I often think that I quilt so I can buy fabric, instead of buying fabric so I can quilt. I've always loved textiles, just didn't realize how much until I started quilting.

However, when I start to feel like I can't go a day without sewing, I purposely don't sew for about a week. Otherwise, I would be, as one of my Drs, once said, "...either obsessively compulsing or compulsively obsessing." And that Dr wasn't even a shrink!

A side benefit of quilting (for me) is that I have lost my tendency to perfectionism, at least with regard to quilting! If every quilt I made had to be perfect, then none of my quilts would ever have been completed!

PS: My perfectionistic tendencies do not extend to house work!

My husband has way more $$$ spent toward his hobbies than I do, but I never thought of it as a lot because he purchased in bits and pieces, not all at once. I suspect many quilters do the same, or save for the big purchases.

He used to urge me to get a hobby so I wouldn't be bored in retirement. I always told him not to worrry, I'd find something to do. Imagine his excitement when I took his advice and started quilting...imagine his waning enthusiasm as I purchased fabric and tools and spread out my hobby through our home - just like he'd done for 30+ years with his hobbies. He's still very supportive, but I can tell when he's mentally kicking himself for ever suggesting I get a hobby!

Thanks for sharing....

I pretty much meet the description except for age & length of time quilting. I'm 39 and have only been seriously quilting a couple years. But I'm already up to full speed on spending and stashing! (groan!) At least I use my stash, though - I did some math the other day and so far in 2.5 years of quilting I am averaging finishing 1.3 quilts per month. I was kind of surprised, it doesn't feel like I make that many, but I tend to kind of work in batches where I'm assembling several quilts at a time over a few months and then suddenly in one weekend I'll finish off 3 or 4 quilts. Mine are all given away as gifts and charitable donations, except for the handful that I keep for myself.

Being a new quilter, I do not want my husband to read this article. LOL. However, being an avid golfer for years, "I" don't want to know how much he has spent on his hobby. Ha. He is happy that I've found a hobby I really enjoy (i.e. quilting - primarily for charities).

Like Cathyvv stated, quilting keeps my mind sharp. It also lets me be creative which is something I need. I've tried so many crafts (stained glass, pottery, beading, painting, crochet - which I still enjoy) but I get more satisfaction from quilting.

Sharon

I am definitely a dedicated quilter and proud of it. I fit the article profile. How do they know all that? :D

Yup, I pretty much fit the profile but I'm a few years younger than the average.